Cabinet appoints ex-Japan Self-Defense Forces head as unpaid adviser

[!quote] AI Analysis
The article titled “Cabinet appoints ex-Japan Self-Defense Forces head as unpaid adviser” (Focus Taiwan, 21 March 2025) reports on Taiwan’s Executive Yuan appointing Yamazaki Koji, former Chief of Staff of Japan’s Joint Staff (the top uniformed position in the Japan Self-Defense Forces), as an unpaid strategic adviser to Taiwan’s Executive Yuan.

This development may appear symbolic at first glance, but this appointment may hold strategic significance

INVESTOR SENTIMENT BOOST: This appointment may reassure investors who have been cautious about Taiwan’s geopolitical risks, particularly amid rising cross-strait tensions. It signals growing informal military and strategic coordination with a key regional player—Japan.

DEFENSE SECTOR INTEREST: Publicly listed companies in Taiwan’s defense, cybersecurity, and aerospace supply chain could see medium- to long-term value appreciation, especially as Taiwan gradually develops indigenous defense capabilities with foreign advice or coordination.

VOLATILITY HEDGING: Derivatives investors may perceive this as a modest reduction in geopolitical tail risks, prompting reassessment of risk premiums priced into Taiwan’s equity and options markets. Nonetheless, this is unlikely to immediately alter volatility indexes unless followed by more tangible agreements or investments.

STABILITY SIGNAL: Taiwan’s real estate market, especially in Taipei and key urban areas, has attracted foreign buyers, many of whom watch regional stability closely. Symbolic moves that enhance defensive diplomacy may encourage long-term confidence in Taiwan as a safe asset location.

The appointment does not directly affect demand drivers or interest rates in real estate. However, it may reduce the perception of Taiwan as a “flashpoint” in East Asia, which is a key consideration for foreign property investors.

Consider evaluating holdings in Taiwan’s industrial and defense-related stocks. Monitor future announcements that may include procurement agreements, R&D collaborations, or tech partnerships with Japan.

Ticker Company Sector Description
2634 Aerospace Industrial Development (AIDC) 漢翔航空工業股份有限公司 Aerospace & Defense Specializes in aircraft and component manufacturing. Integral to Taiwan’s indigenous defense capabilities, including advanced jet trainers. Plays a pivotal role in the local defense industry.
2208 CSBC 台灣國際造船股份有限公司 Shipbuilding & Defense Taiwan’s premier shipbuilder, constructing naval vessels and submarines. Enhances maritime defense infrastructure through advanced shipbuilding programs.
2345 Lungteh Shipbuilding 隆德造船股份有限公司 Shipbuilding & Defense Designs and constructs military patrol boats and high-speed vessels. Secured government defense contracts, reinforcing Taiwan’s coastal and naval defense.
2630 Air Asia 亞洲航空股份有限公司 Aerospace Maintenance Provides Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for military and civilian aircraft. Supports Taiwan Air Force readiness with critical aviation maintenance.
3005 Getac Holdings 神基科技股份有限公司 Defense Technology Produces rugged computing systems (e.g., laptops, tablets) for military use. Enables reliable data and communications operations in harsh environments.
9917 Taiwan Secom 台灣西科姆股份有限公司 Security Services Provides surveillance, access control, and facility security. Essential for infrastructure protection and defense sector operations.
3454 Vivotek 晶睿通訊股份有限公司 Surveillance Technology Manufactures IP surveillance equipment used in defense installations. Key provider of real-time video monitoring and analytics.
3416 Winmate 威綸科技股份有限公司 Industrial Computing Designs rugged computing devices for harsh or military environments. Supports mobile operations and logistics in defense.
8076 AV TECH 陞泰科技股份有限公司 Surveillance Equipment Develops surveillance systems integral to monitoring and defense asset protection. Supplies digital video solutions for critical infrastructure.
2471 Ares International 栋梁國際股份有限公司 Information Technology Delivers IT solutions, including defense software platforms and system integration. Contributes to secure defense information systems.
3004 National Aerospace Fasteners 國際航太扣件股份有限公司 Aerospace Components Produces aerospace-grade fasteners for aircraft and military platforms. Essential for assembly integrity in aviation and defense systems.
4546 Chaheng Precision 佳恒精密股份有限公司 Precision Manufacturing Supplies precision components used in defense equipment and vehicles. Known for meeting high-spec requirements of military contracts.
8222 Aero Win Technology 航旺科技股份有限公司 Aerospace Components Develops parts for commercial and military aerospace use. Supports operational reliability of air platforms.
4572 Drewloong Precision 久隆精密工業股份有限公司 Precision Manufacturing Provides critical precision-machined parts for defense and industrial use. Supports high-reliability component needs.
6829 Chenfull Precision 震豐精密股份有限公司 Precision Manufacturing Engineers and manufactures precision systems and assemblies. Supports defense-grade quality standards and aerospace applications.
4541 Magnate Technology 鉅祥科技股份有限公司 Aerospace Manufacturing Manufactures structural aerospace parts serving both defense and civil aviation. Contributes to domestic aircraft component production.
8033 Thunder Tiger 雷虎科技股份有限公司 Unmanned Systems Develops UAVs and robotics platforms. Enhances surveillance and reconnaissance capability for the military.
2545 Jong Shyn Shipbuilding 榮舜造船股份有限公司 Shipbuilding & Defense Builds military support and combat vessels. A long-term supplier for Taiwan’s naval fleet.
2235 Karmin International 卡敏國際股份有限公司 Defense Equipment Supplies tactical defense products and support systems. Enables equipment readiness for Taiwan’s military operations.
6754 DroneVision 無人機視界股份有限公司 Unmanned Aerial Systems Specializes in drone systems for surveillance and tactical use. Key technology player in Taiwan’s evolving unmanned defense sector.

Looks like you got yourself a good Taiwan MIC etf there.

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What Taiwan needs is a manufacturer of autonomous undersea vessels that can break a blockade. Thousands of dolphin-sized, unmanned vessels ‘flooding the zone’ as they maneuver silently just above the ocean floor delivering critical supplies to a Taiwan under siege.

[!quote] From the video description
The recent unveiling of Taiwan’s “Huilong” Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) has revealed advanced capabilities, including torpedo launch systems, making it a potential game-changer in autonomous naval warfare. Developed by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and Lungteh Shipbuilding (TWSE:2345), the “Huilong” UUV demonstrates the growing trend in unmanned underwater vehicles for military use. With images showing torpedo launch tubes at the bow, the UUV is now viewed as more than just a test platform.

Below is an 8 year old video from Johns Hopkins

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…the Endeavor Manta is said to have been designed specifically for operations in the Taiwan Strait. This environment is likely to have prompted the choice of a trimaran hull, which is generally better able to cope with challenging sea states of the kind that are frequently encountered here.

Overall, the stealthy shape was likely chosen to reduce the USV’s signature, making it harder for adversaries to detect it.

Taiwan should recruit its millions of gamers into a “Blockade Busters” force. They’d be trained to expert level in the remote operation of stealthy, unarmed undersea vehicles designed to evade a maritime blockade.